I don’t remember the last time I had a regular Cosmo. There was certainly a time when they were a drink of choice. Yes, because of Sex and the City. Yes also because they are highly drinkable and it was at a time in my life when sipping something from a martini glass (even though I couldn’t handle an actual martini) felt very sophisticated.

And then I stopped drinking them.

There’s only a small overlap between a classic Cosmo (vodka, orange-flavoured liqueur, cranberry and lime) and this Aperol version I came across. I suppose there are orange-y undertones to Aperol? But the slight bitter, herbaceous notes of the liqueur don’t seem to have much to do with cranberry and Cointreau — to the point where this feels like a misnamed cocktail.

But does it work? That’s the main question. And the answer is yes. It’s actually a nice drink, though I would never have associated it with a Cosmo.

The vodka creates a nice neutral base for the lime and Aperol and the citrus seems to enhance the herbal undertones. It’s more of a sipper for those reasons, but I liked it.

Part of the regular rotation? Maybe not. But I like the idea of whipping one up when this goddamn pandemic is over and I’m entertaining friends, introducing it with, “Here’s something a little different!”

Aperol Cosmopolitan